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And the Official 6th Annual TotalBeauty.com Winners Are...
When you try thousands of new beauty products over the course of a few months, you become startlingly picky about just how well a mascara performs (there may have been tape measures involved) or whether an eye cream lives up to its claims. Our Editors' Picks are the ones that outshined the rest in spades - and earned a permanent spot on our vanity. Our Readers' Choice awards go to the beauty products our readers live and die by. Here, the 2015 TotalBeauty Award-winning beauty products that make us look and feel pretty enough to join Taylor Swift's #squad.
Select Category
Blow Dryer
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Editors' Pick
Conair Infiniti Pro 3Q Brushless Motor Dryer
This dryer blew us away (literally), because it's a total powerhouse that gets hair dry, silky and smooth insanely fast (think: under five minutes).
Readers' Choice
This is the best hair dryer I have ever owned. I have very fine hair, and this dryer leaves my hair healthy, shiny and easy to manage. It dries quicker than any dryer I have ever used. I recommend it highly.
Editors' Pick Honorable Mention
Remington T-Studio Protect Hair Dryer
This affordable ionic dryer is incredibly lightweight and cuts drying time in half, thanks to the tourmaline-ceramic technology. Bonus: It reduces both damage and frizz.
Readers' Choice Honorable Mention
I have used a zillion different hair dryers and this one is the best. It leaves my rather coarse, very curly, unruly hair shiny and smooth. And it costs considerably less than what I have paid for other dryers.
Breakthrough Product
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Editors' Pick
Perhaps the most exciting hair launch of the year, R+Co aims to redefine the category with each product they put out (our personal favorites: the Death Valley Dry Shampoo and Analog Cleansing Foam Conditioner). As for the packaging, let's just put it this way: It's something you'll want to display.
Readers' Choice
Nioxin Thinning Hair System Kit System 1
I started using this product two months ago, and I have noticed that my hair is much thicker. The product feels great on the scalp, as it has a touch of mint in the formula. I love this.
Editors' Pick Honorable Mention
Head & Shoulders Moisture Care Scalp Soother
This is a game-changer for people who struggle with dandruff or dry, itchy scalps. The cooling spray gives instant, targeted relief (even for psoriasis) and reduces flakes.
Readers' Choice Honorable Mention
Nouráge Nourishment For Healthier Hair
These little supplements may not work overnight, but within a few months, you'll find noticeably shinier, healthier, fuller hair. Perfect if your hair is thinning or grows too slowly.
Brush / Comb
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Editors' Pick
This boar-bristled wonder is perfect for recreating a salon-worthy blow-out at home. The bristles smooth hair -- without getting tangled in it -- making for a frizz-free, pain-free experience.
Readers' Choice
I have oily hair, but the ends of my hair are frizzy. This detangles my hair painlessly. The hair breakage is way less than with usual brushing or combing. I am in love with this brush.
Editors' Pick Honorable Mention
EcoTools Full Volume Styler Hair Brush
This incredibly lightweight brush is a bargain; the unique, open shape cuts down on drying time and creates incredible volume, especially on longer hair.
Readers' Choice Honorable Mention
This paddle brush has literally saved my hair. My other brushes seem to pull my hair out, so I switched to this. The quality of this brush would probably last you 20 years, if not more. It's just a great buy and amazing quality.
Conditioner
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Editors' Pick
Herbal Essences Wild Naturals Rejuvenating Conditioner
This exceptional drugstore conditioner is intensely hydrating and leaves hair soft, silky and shiny without weighing down fine or oily hair. Bonus: The gorgeously floral and fruity scent smells amazing.
Readers' Choice
Dove Anti-Frizz Oil Therapy Conditioner
Oh my goodness, the difference this conditioner has made. My hair now has that smooth, luxurious, supermodel shine and texture. I'm experiencing less tangling throughout the day, easier time styling due to the lack of frizz and no dryness.
Editors' Pick Honorable Mention
Serge Normant Dream Big Instant Volumizing Conditioner
Expect OMG effects -- full, bouncy, voluminous hair that looks healthy and shiny -- when you use this conditioner. The almond smell inspires obsession.
Readers' Choice Honorable Mention
Pantene Pro-V Ice Shine Conditioner
This conditioner did what no shine serum could possibly accomplish. It left my hair soft to the touch, and my locks were just like it says -- Ice Shine.
Curly Hair Product
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Editors' Pick
Pureology Curl Complete Curl Extend Treatment Styler
This lightweight formula packs a double-whammy of curl-enhancing ingredients, thanks to the dual pump. One side smoothes and conditions strands to give them shine, while the other enhances curls for a gloriously springy and frizz-free finish.
Readers' Choice
Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie
This stuff is not too heavy for my kinky, curly hair. I use it on wet or dry hair, mostly for my twist-outs. It leaves my curls a lot more defined than just water and leave-in. This stuff is great.
Editors' Pick Honorable Mention
Toni & Guy Classic Wave Memoriser
Work this lightweight cream through dry hair and twist it around your curls to revive their texture and bounce. Or, run it through damp hair before you style for added definition. Bonus: It gives a nice beachy effect to wavy hair.
Readers' Choice Honorable Mention
Bumble and Bumble Curl Conscious Defining Creme
My hair is wavy to curly, and I've used tons of different products to try and enhance my natural curls. I have yet to find another product that leaves my hair this soft, curly and frizz-free.
Deep Conditioner
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Editors' Pick
Kérastase Résistance Masque Thérapiste
Formulated with the "resurrection sap" of a plant that can come back to life after 10 years of being near death, this mask left our hair the softest, smoothest and most manageable it's ever been. Designed for hair that's superdamaged and over-processed, the thick, creamy formula feels incredibly luxe.
Readers' Choice
Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Smooth
This is excellent. It moisturizes without weighing hair down, smells excellent and is easy to use. Use as directed, and you should have the results promised.
Editors' Pick Honorable Mention
Tigi S-Factor Serious Conditioner
Split ends, be gone. Apply a dime-sized amount of this intensive weekly treatment and be treated to sleek, tangle-free and supershiny hair. Amino acids and a silicone polymer help minimize split ends and prevent future damage.
Readers' Choice Honorable Mention
Neutrogena Triple Moisture Daily Deep Conditioner
This potent cream works to revive and soften even the most deeply stressed or overworked hair. It has been extremely humid, and my hair normally turns to a frizzy mess. I've been using this conditioner and am having no problems. It's simply incredible.
Dry Shampoo
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Editors' Pick
This dry shampoo sets the bar for all others. The lightweight, transparent formula smells divine and comes in two color-enhancing shades (one for brunettes and one for blondes). Hair looks and feels freshly blown-out without any chalkiness.
Readers' Choice
Yum! This smells amazing and really refreshes my hair when it's starting to get greasy. Also, unlike other dry shampoos I've used that always leave the white residue, this one doesn't. My favorite dry shampoo.
Editors' Pick Honorable Mention
L'Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle Blow Dry It LongWear Spray
A great dry shampoo should smell fresh, absorb oil without leaving a residue and leave hair looking clean and refreshed -- even if it hasn't been washed in a few days. This budget buy has all of these traits in spades.
Readers' Choice Honorable Mention
Suave Professionals Keratin Infusion Dry Shampoo
This product refreshes hair, absorbs oil, lightly infuses hair with keratin and makes hair overall manageable and soft. The cherry on top was the fact that I finally stumbled upon a product that flattened my stubborn flyaways.
Hair Color
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Editors' Pick
L'Oréal Paris Superior Preference Mousse Absolue
This unique system takes the mixing -- and the mess -- out of coloring your hair at home. With a push of a button, the correct amount of color and activator crème comes out, resulting in an easy-to-apply mousse that gives hair shiny, vibrant color. The best part? You can reuse the system up to three times.
Readers' Choice
L'Oréal Paris Excellence Creme
Even my stylist was surprised at the condition of my hair after I used this dye. The product leaves my hair conditioned and soft, even healthier than before I dyed it.
Editors' Pick Honorable Mention
Clairol Professional Flare Permanent Cream Color
For vivid color at home, look no further. This permanent hair color leaves hair intensely glossy and completely covers up stubborn grays. It gets bonus points for having 26 shades, in a variety of tones, to choose from.
Readers' Choice Honorable Mention
Wella Color Charm Permanent Liquid Haircolor
I love, love, love this hair dye. I dye my hair light blonde, and this brand makes my hair look luxurious and golden. Some dyes can make your hair have a bit of an orange hue, but not Wella. I get so many compliments on my hair color.
Hairspray
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Editors' Pick
Tresemmé Keratin Smooth Frizz-Free Hold Hairspray
This medium-hold spray tames existing frizz and prevents additional frizz from popping up -- even on humid days. Plus, it keeps hairstyles in place without being crunchy (read: it has a touchable, brushable, flexible hold).
Readers' Choice
Sexy Hair Big Sexy Hair What a Tease Backcomb In a Bottle
This is amazing. It gives great volume and holds so well. I like to use this instead of actually teasing my hair. It saves a lot of time.
Editors' Pick Honorable Mention
Matrix Style Link Perfect Style Fixer Finishing Hairspray
A hairspray that locks styles in place all day without being crunchy, sticky or flaky? Yes, please. It also adds shine and a hint of volume.
Readers' Choice Honorable Mention
Moroccanoil Luminous Hairspray
I have used many hairsprays, and this one wins hands down. It keeps your hair in place yet does not weigh it down, and it has a light fragrance. It gives hair a bit of a shine and keeps hair healthy.
Heat Styling Tool
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Editors' Pick
T3 Whirl Trio Interchangeable Barrel Styling Wand
This tool is three curling irons in one, thanks to the interchangeable wands. Use the largest size for just-got-a-blowout waves and volume, the medium size for defined curls and the tapered wand for beachy waves. Each wand heats up ultra fast, and the rose gold and white color scheme is beyond gorgeous.
Readers' Choice
Conair Instant Heat 1-1/2 Inch Curling Iron
I love to curl my hair, but I don't like to take too much time to do it. This curler heats up so fast, and it gives me the most perfect curls. With this tool, you can have great-looking hair at an affordable price.
Editors' Pick Honorable Mention
Paul Mitchell Neuro Style 1-Inch Styling Iron
From zero to 450 degrees in 30 seconds -- that's how fast this iron heats up. It features a multitude of heat settings, customizable shut-off and a microchip that regulates the temperature 50 times per second, so each section of hair turns out even. It easily glides through even thick hair to make it superstraight.
Readers' Choice Honorable Mention
Remington T-Studio Pearl Ceramic Professional Styling Wand
I have thick, long, hair -- and it's stick straight. My whole life I have wanted nice bouncy curls. I have used many different curling irons and wands, and this one is by far my favorite. Every time I curl my hair with this wand, I get loads of compliments.
Leave-in Conditioner / Detangler
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Editors' Pick
This elixir leaves hair ridiculously soft and tangle-free, thanks to a blend of Australian fruit extracts (and, we're assuming, magic). Even the most tangled hair on our team became snag- and snarl-free. And the smell? Divine.
Readers' Choice
It's a 10 Miracle Leave-In Conditioner Spray Product
After a horrifying dye incident that left my already thin, breakage-prone hair dry and brittle, a hairstylist recommended this to me, and my hair has completely transformed. It's soft, silky and no longer feels like straw.
Editors' Pick Honorable Mention
John Frieda Frizz Ease Beyond Smooth Frizz Immunity Primer
This lightweight frizz-fighter acts like a primer for your hair (meaning you can layer other styling products over it without fear of turning your hair greasy). It makes hair softer, smoother and easier to brush.
Readers' Choice Honorable Mention
Aussie Hair Insurance Leave-In Conditioner
This product is amazing. It was recommended by a friend when she saw my terrible, terrible ends. I am so happy she did! This is really a miracle.
Shampoo
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Editors' Pick
Briogeo Be Gentle, Be Kind Avocado + Quinoa Co–Wash
A creamy, sulfate-free co-wash that doesn't leave hair greasy, yet also intensely conditions thanks to avocado oil, quinoa extract, shea butter and aloe vera. Though it doesn't lather, it leaves hair feeling cleansed.
Readers' Choice
Matrix Biolage ScalpSync Cooling Mint Shampoo
This shampoo is amazing, cleans without stripping and makes your hair feel full and fabulous. I also found it helps me style my hair. It will hold a curl or straight style for a long time.
Editors' Pick Honorable Mention
Herbal Essences Wild Naturals Rejuvenating Shampoo
We keep coming back to this shampoo because it smells amazing, lathers up nicely and leaves hair squeaky-clean without drying it out.
Readers' Choice Honorable Mention
Dove Anti-Frizz Oil Therapy Shampoo
Even with thick, dry hair, this shampoo cleaned and moisturized my waves. Fabulous. I hadn't even purchased the conditioner yet, and my hair was left soft and frizz-free. Awesome drugstore purchase.
Shampoo for Color-Treated Hair
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Editors' Pick
Pureology Strength Cure Shampoo
Finally, a sulfate-free shampoo that lathers for days. It nourishes color-treated hair with a blend of antioxidants, ceramide and arginine, and it's light enough for thin hair, but conditioning enough to restore the vibrancy of bleached-blonde hair.
Readers' Choice
By far the best shampoo I've ever used. That's right, ever. I've never been able to style my hair without a straightener. Now I can. My hair is so unbelievably smooth.
Editors' Pick Honorable Mention
Aloxxi Essential 7 Oil Cleansing Oil Shampoo
Not only does this oil-based cleanser richly lather and cleanse, it moisturizes dry hair, helps control frizz and -- thanks to 10 antioxidant extracts -- protects hair against UV rays that can make color fade.
Readers' Choice Honorable Mention
Tresemmé Color Revitalize Shampoo
The best color protection shampoo I have found outside of the salon. It helps protect my color longer, and doesn't leave a residue.
Shine Enhancer
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Editors' Pick
Tresemmé Get Sleek Blow Dry Balm
We're hooked on this pre-blow-dry product because it tames blow-out-induced flyaways, transforms unruly ends and, yes, makes hair incredibly shiny and sleek.
Readers' Choice
John Frieda Frizz Ease Expert Finish Polishing Serum
One of my holy-grail products. I use this mostly during the winter due to my fine, flat, flyaway hair. It performs better than any frizz-taming hair products I've tried.
Editors' Pick Honorable Mention
Tigi S-Factor True Lasting Colour Hair Oil
Apply this before you blow-dry and say hello to sleek, shiny hair, or apply it to dry hair to add extra shine and protection against heat and the sun.
Readers' Choice Honorable Mention
Simply beautiful hair is what I have when I use this. I often wear my hair curly, and these drops work wonders to combat frizz while adding beautiful shine. When I wear my hair straight, not one hair falls out of place.
Texture Spray
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Editors' Pick
This spray is perfect for achieving tousled, bedhead hair that isn't crispy or crunchy. It has a touchable finish, so you can actually run your fingers through your hair. It has even been known to turn a bad hair day into an excellent one with just a few spritzes.
Readers' Choice
Bumble and Bumble Thickening Dryspun Finish
I have fine hair, so trying to create volume and make it last beyond five minutes has never happened for me. Using the Dryspun Finish, my hair has volume, and it stays. It's amazing and supereasy to use. Just spray generously towards the roots at any spot you want to have some lift, and voila.
Editors' Pick Honorable Mention
Garnier Fructis Texture Tease Dry Touch Finishing Spray
The micro-mineral powder formula of this texture spray makes it ideal for achieving that coveted second-day-hair look -- even if you're freshly shampooed and blow-dried. If you're not, you can rest easy knowing it also adds lift and body to revive your style.
Readers' Choice Honorable Mention
Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging Perfect Texture Finishing Spray
This finishing spray creates texture and volume without being heavy or sticky. I like to apply it on dry hair and then wrap a few big sections around a curling wand. It gives my hair grip and helps the waves last all day.
Volumizer
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Editors' Pick
Sexy Hair Big Sexy Hair Full Bloom
This spray is instant sex kitten in a (giant) bottle. The volume it gives is subtle, yet buildable, meaning it can be used for an everyday boost or to amp things up on date night.
Readers' Choice
Aveda Pure Abundance Hair Potion
This didn't just give me great volume, it gave me volume that lasted through the next day. I have naturally oily roots so my hair is often flat. This product gave me great fullness and made my hair easier to style.
Editors' Pick Honorable Mention
Serge Normant Dream Big Instant Volumizing Spray
The natural, believable, frizz-free volume this spray gives will make you feel like you're in a hair commercial. The gorgeous scent and packaging add to its allure.
Readers' Choice Honorable Mention
Catwalk Root Boost totally put the va-va-voom back in my hair. I've tried other root-boosting products, and this is the only one that didn't leave my roots stiff or crunchy. I have very fine and limp locks, so this is a welcome addition to my hair-care arsenal.
